Eaton BRSURGE Br

Eaton BRSURGE Br Series Whole House Surge Protector Review

Read time: 3 minutes Last Updated: 11/20/2019

We researched the Eaton BRSURGE Br Series whole house surge protection device and put its efficiency to the test. Check out our in-depth review and see how it scored below.

Eaton BRSURGE Br

$69.27
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Eaton BRSURGE Br

7.5/10
  • Internal 2-pole thermal magnetic breaker allows for up to 36,000 amps of protection
  • Plug-in style allows for DIY installation
  • Compact form factor allows multiple units to be installed side by side
  • Only works in Type BR load centers
  • Lacks user-friendly features
Dimensions:
6.35 x 3.5 x 2.25 inches
Weight:
1lb
Type:
BR
Certifications:
UL
Maximum Surge Current Capacity (MSCC):
36,000 amps
Enclosure Type:
N/A
Alarm or Indicator Light:
Yes
Warranty:
Yes 5-year

Our Review

First and foremost, the Eaton BRSURGE BR can accidentally claim that it is a productive space saver. That’s because each unit only occupies two 1” spaces, thus allowing multiple units to be installed beside one another. Popping auxiliary units into your load center isn’t a challenging ordeal, either. As it turns out, each Eaton BRSURGE BR is designed to seamlessly plug in and remain stable – even when it is in the process of suppressing up to 36,000 amps of surge electricity.

For such a compact surge protection device, you may be wondering how the Eaton BRSURGE BR manages to provide enough surge protection potential to protect a small home. Much of this model’s capabilities derive from its use an internal 2-pole thermal-magnetic breaker, which works in tandem with its slightly longer-than-average leads to prevent undesirable surges from breaking into your whole home’s electric grid.

Key Specification Ratings

Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV) – 7.5/10

Why Did It Earn this Score? – The current surge protection device market hasn’t made many moves to innovate in the MCOV specification category, which is likely why the Eaton BRSURGE BR provides industry-average metrics in this category. Accordingly, folks looking at the Eaton BRSURGE BR should know that its L-N mode provides a 150-volt MCOV and its L-L mode provides a 300-volt MCOV. While we do wish this model had more to offer on this front, we are willing to accept that this adherence to norms allows the Eaton BRSURGE BR to be more useful to a greater number of prospective users.

Voltage Protective Rating (VPR) – 8/10

Why Did It Earn this Score? – Traditionally, surge protection devices with only two modes of protection haven’t gone out of their way to differentiate their VPRs much. However, it appears that Eaton is looking to push the envelope ever so slightly by placing more distance between its 600 volt (L-N) mode and its 1,000 volt (L-L) mode. As such, you’ll be plenty able to choose a setting for your new Eaton BRSURGE BR that enables an optimal amount of power to enter your home while this device suppresses a surge.

Mode of Protection – 7/10

Why Did It Earn this Score? – When we first checked out the Eaton BRSURGE BR, we were admittedly a little disappointed to learn that it only utilized two modes of protection. Fortunately, those two modes – L-N and L-L – are among the most useful in the field, allowing this model to still see a fair amount of use among today’s homeowners. If this model had even one more mode of protection, though, its rating in the specification would certainly have jumped up at least a point-based upon customization alone.

The Final Verdict

To be fully honest, the Eaton BRSURGE BR may not be good enough to remain a competitive option over the next couple years. While its core specifications are nominally sufficient, this model’s overall lack of user-friendly features may cause it to lose feature as responsive smart devices become a norm in American homes. In the meantime, though, the Eaton BRSURGE BR will do the job and ensure that your small home is protected from a moderate surge of electricity.

 

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